Parental Well-being After Childbirth in Switzerland

Conditions studied

Mental Health, Physical Health, Postpartum, Parents, Quality of Life, Quality of Care, Stress Disorder, Post Traumatic

About this study

Improving maternal and child health is a global priority, with increasing emphasis on ensuring women and their families not only survive but also thrive after childbirth. While high-income countries like Switzerland provide strong antenatal and intrapartum care, the quality of postnatal care often lags behind, despite the critical physical, mental, and social needs of the postpartum period. Studies indicate high rates of mental distress, physical pain, and sexual discomfort among mothers, alongside a lack of research on the well-being of co-parents. The main question this cohort study aims to answer is: how do the health and well-being of mothers and co-parents evolve during the first year after childbirth? Participants will complete four online questionnaires: the first within the first few days after birth, followed by additional assessments at 2, 6, and 12 months postpartum. This comprehensive approach seeks to inform policy and improve evidence-based postnatal care practices, benefiting approximately 80,000 families annually in Switzerland.

Primary outcomes

• Childbirth-related post-traumatic stress disorder (2 months postpartum)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• Haute Ecole de Santé Genève, Geneva, 1206 Switzerland
• ZHAW Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur, Switzerland